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ACTION STATIONS The public value of commercial radio CONTENTS 04 Foreword and Introduction

06 Executive Summary

10 Commercial Radio Business

14 News, Weather and Travel

22 Community and Social Action

34 Technology and Innovation

42 Music FOREWORD Commercial radio really matters to me, as it does to so many people across Britain. INTRODUCTION In so many ways, radio provides a vital soundtrack to our lives, a role it has been grew up listening to Marcher Sound and Atlantic 252. As a student I worked on performing for nearly a hundred years. It’s easy to take for granted such a constant Oxygen 107.9fm, starting off making the coffee, and rising to the dizzy heights companion, especially as there are so many ways to access news, music, of the minority sports correspondence. I’m still friends with people I met in the information and entertainment. pressure-cooker of the under-resourced local radio station. It’s where I first learned to broadcast, and to cope with the need for fast precise decisions and to work closely as But audience needs remain the same in some important ways – we will always want part of a team. company, stories, curation, fun, challenge and an element of surprise. Radio delivers all of that, hence its enduring popularity as a medium. Action Stations provides a “It is also important to Now, as the Minister for Culture, with responsibility in Government for radio, “The figures speak for great reminder of the many ways in which commercial radio is a critical part of the recognise the positive impact I’m proud that nine out of every ten people say they still tune in each week. themselves – over 13 hours of UK media landscape and therefore the lifeblood of communities, cities, towns and It is testament to an industry that has been able to adapt despite a multitude of villages across the country. commercial radio has on vital public service content each challenges over the years. Shifts in TV, online, mobile and music consumption have the UK economy. Like many all threatened to undermine radio’s role at some point but it remains as popular as week, comprising local news, The figures speak for themselves – over 13 hours of vital public service content each of our creative industries it ever. Huge audiences - far bigger than ever listened to my bulletins - still rely on weather, travel, community week, comprising local news, weather, travel, community and music events – and makes a notable contribution radio for its range of music, news, information, entertainment and the and local events – and over over £25 million raised for charity in 2015 alone. Beyond the figures lie the real life companionship it provides. stories. Radio being there when listeners need it most. During the floods in the North to our GDP and employment.” £25 million raised for charity of at the end of 2015 for , a number of stations were a lifeline for A strong resurgent commercial sector has been central to this continuing success. in 2015 alone.” stricken residents. Lancaster-based radio station, The Bay, was broadcasting on an With more than 300 licensed stations available the choice for listeners has never emergency generator for several days from 6 December and was the only source of been greater. Locally, stations continue to engage audiences and communities as public information available to local people, as all other communication and power they always have. Nationally there are now music stations for every genre from sources had gone down. FM to Planet Rock from Classic FM to , as well as a choice of news and sport services from LBC and from . Radio listeners now have more choice than ever, with 21 national commercial stations launched in 2016 in the biggest ever expansion of digital radio. Radio is These services provide a fantastic public service contribution that is documented in now increasingly consumed on digital and connected devices. So we are detail in this latest report from Radiocentre. delighted that the Government is looking at reforming outdated regulation which will allow radio to compete even more effectively in the audio world and unlock even It is also important to recognise the positive impact commercial radio has on the UK more benefit for listeners. economy. Like many of our creative industries it makes a notable contribution to our GDP and employment. It also supports other sectors indirectly and is an effective promotional platform for the UK music industry. But the scale of the impact of commercial radio is really brought home when we consider its role as an effective medium for businesses. A return on investment of £7.70 for each £1 spent by advertisers is impressive.

It is this combination of radio’s familiarity and adaptability, its public service output, Siobhan Kenny its creative and cultural contribution and economic value that helps explain radio’s Radiocentre CEO continuing popularity.

I’m looking forward to driving through this Government’s commitment to support the success of commercial radio. And in doing that, I am by your side.

The Rt Hon Matt Hancock MP Minister of State for Digital & Culture

4 5 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Commercial radio remains the destination of choice for The average output of public service content on a UK millions of people. Each week over 35 million listeners commercial station tune in to the widest choice of stations at any point in the history of radio. Local events 66 mins The following pages are full of fantastic examples of these commercial stations providing a valuable public Charity appeals service to their audience. Although extensive this is just 28 mins a small sample of how local stations are embedded in their communities and engaging with millions of News & sport listeners every day. Travel 391 mins 178 mins

Weather 126 mins Key facts

Revenue – £592 million 343 licensed stations Weekly average of 13¼ hours in 2015 of public service content 13 hours and 15 minutes of public value broadcast each week in total

Over 10,000 local events 35m weekly listeners Over £25m raised for attended in 2015 charity

6 7 executive summary

1. COMMERCIAL RADIO BUSINESS 4. TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION

• The economic impact of commercial radio is considerable. • New technology presents opportunities and challenges for traditional Independent analysis has highlighted that commercial radio supports radio. It enables stations to provide more choice, but also means 12,340 jobs across the UK and £683m in gross value added to the greater competition (e.g. from digital streaming services). Despite this economy. live radio remains strong and accounts for 74% of all audio listening (and 84% of in car listening). • An average of 32 businesses advertise with each station every week, supporting advertising revenue of £592m in 2015. • The way commercial radio stations interact with their audience and use technology is also changing with over 20 million people engaging • The value to advertisers provided by radio is also impressive with an with them on social media. estimated return on investment of £4.6bn in 2015. • The multitude of ways in which audiences now contact commercial radio stations – from , and to texts, email and phone calls – means that listeners now interact with stations over 2. NEWS, WEATHER AND TRAVEL one million times a day.

• Technology also enables radio stations to provide up-to-date local • Commercial radio is a trusted source of up-to-the-minute local news news and information in different ways, combining central news hubs and information, employing more than 350 journalists across all parts with reporters on the ground. of the UK.

• Each week stations broadcast an average of 6½ hours of news & sport, as well as over 2 hours of weather reports and nearly 3 hours of travel 5. MUSIC updates.

• On average 54% of news bulletins feature local news in daytime, with • Commercial radio broadcasts an impressive range and volume of music each station providing 25 news and sport bulletins every day as well as for all tastes and moods – with stations catering for pop, rock, dance, 28 weather reports and 27 travel updates. classical, jazz, soul and many other genres. Therefore it is no surprise that 78% of listeners are introduced to new music on their local commercial radio station.

3. COMMUNITY AND SOCIAL ACTION • Radio stations help drive awareness and desire for music among listeners and support the success of the UK’s creative industries. • Commercial stations attend over 10,000 local events every year. This study found that 90% host live sessions and 83% feature This community engagement and involvement is the lifeblood of unknown artists, many of whom have gone on to greater success. commercial radio, with stations also broadcasting an average of 80 • community bulletins each week. As a result commercial radio supported over £103m to music sales in 2015, with a further £50m in music rights payments. • Community engagement comes in many forms, from fundraising to raising awareness and supporting future talent. 91% invest in local work experience and 87% do outreach work with local schools and colleges.

• UK commercial stations also raised an impressive £25m directly for charity in 2015 alone. This was in addition to the return on investment of £227m for charities advertising on radio (based on an advertising spend of £13.6m in 2015).

• 98% of all stations and 100% of local stations engaged with an MP Action Stations is largely drawn from a 2015 survey of Radiocentre members. It is supplemented by additional research conducted by in 2015. Kantar Media along with new economic analysis from Oxford Economics and employment data from Creative Skillset. 8 9 SECTION one

Key facts COMMERCIAL 12,340 jobs £70,200 gross value added

Industry supports 12,340 jobs Productivity is high – each employee RADIO BUSINESS (including 4,410 direct employees) generates approximately £70,200 in gross value added

Commercial radio plays an important role in the daily lives of millions of people across the country – not only entertaining and informing listeners, but also providing effective advertising for businesses and supporting the economy. £4.6bn ROI to advertisers £592m ad revenue Commercial radio also provides a huge advertising boost to local economies, with a weekly average of 32 businesses advertising on each station. Value to advertisers is estimated Advertising revenue of £592m at £4.6bn Radio advertising works for these businesses, with 96% of stations aware of local advertisers who attribute their business success to radio. Many campaigns are so successful that local stations broadcast regular testimonials highlighting how radio advertising was instrumental to the success of their business. The industry supports this success with 87% of stations investing in their own commercial production, producing advertising or sponsorship messages for clients.

Advertising revenue rose by 2.9% to £592m in 2015, the highest level for eight years. According to econometric analysis of radio advertising campaigns the return on investment (ROI) that this provides is a very significant £7.70 for every £1 invested. Therefore in 2015 return on investment for commercial radio delivered an estimated £4.6bn value to advertisers. Alongside this, value to music sales is estimated at £683m GDP £210m indirect impact £103m in addition to direct payments of around £50m to artists and songwriters. Commercial radio’s total contribution Indirect impact (procurement from to UK GDP was £683m suppliers) was £210m

Ineffective Ts&Cs cost our industry an estimated £130m a year in lost advertising revenue

One aspect of radio advertising that annoys listeners and puts off advertisers is the excessive Terms & Conditions (Ts&Cs) at the end of certain ads. Those lengthy, garbled warnings are meant to protect consumers but sadly they don’t achieve that goal. Instead they only succeed in deterring potential advertisers £310m direct impact £163m induced impact from using radio. This costs our industry (in lost advertising revenues) a conservative estimate of £130m a year. Direct impact (operational expenditure) Induced impact (staff spending their was £310m wages) was £163m

10 11 COMMERCIAL RADIO BUSINESS

Our people The people working in commercial radio make it the success it is . The industry Global Academy In September Global opened the Global Academy – a brand new state school now supports 12,340 jobs across the country. Commercial radio directly employs designed to prepare students for careers in the broadcast and digital media 4,410 people, which includes those working in presenting, production, engineering, industries. The Global Academy is a University Technical College, which provides marketing, sales, news and journalism – with over 350 journalists across the UK. The academic and vocational education for 14-19 year olds. remaining jobs are a result of indirect (supply chain) and induced (wage spending) employment contributions. The mainstream curriculum of GCSEs and A Levels are taught in a practical way alongside vocational education, equipping students with the technical skills needed While our industry may be relatively small it is highly productive, with each employee to work in the broadcast and digital media industry. By 2020 the Global Academy generating approximately £70,200 in gross value added to the economy. The future will reach its full capacity of 800 students. In 2016, it will take around 200 students workforce is also an important consideration for commercial radio, which is why across Years 10 and 12. significant time and investment is placed upon education for a new generation of broadcasters – with initiatives like the Global Academy and Bauer Academy Global secured £16m funding from the Department of Education to set up the school leading the way. which is built on the site of EMI’s Old Vinyl Factory in Hayes, West .

Diversity and The continuing success of our medium relies on attracting the most talented Social Mobility workforce, drawn from all sections of society. Therefore, diversity and social mobility are important issues for us, although more remains to be done. In their 2015 Employment Survey the sector skills body Creative Skillset found that across the whole radio industry 46% of employees are women and BAME employees make up 9% of the industry. This compares to 10.9% BAME employees in the rest of the UK workforce. There is recognition from the commercial radio sector that more could be done to encourage greater diversity within the sector and so Radiocentre is now leading a new diversity and social mobility strategy.

Creative Access On behalf of the commercial radio industry, Radiocentre works closely with Creative Masterclass Access which provides opportunities for paid internships in the creative industries for young people from under-represented BAME backgrounds.

Creative Access holds monthly masterclasses for its interns and alumni in order to provide insight into particular sectors within the creative industries. At the beginning of 2016, in conjunction with the BBC, Radiocentre hosted a Radio Masterclass in order to draw attention to the broad range of jobs within radio. Bauer Academy The Bauer Academy was designed to fill the void between education, business The evening was chaired by Magic presenter Angie Greaves and provided young and media. It combines the expertise of a major media company with specialists radio talent from BAME backgrounds with the opportunity to talk about their careers in education and learning, in order to provide a range of training. It works with and options available, as well as share tips on getting ahead within the industry. both corporate clients and new talent, providing training for over 5,000 people in recent years.

Panellists included, from right to left: Neev Spencer (Kiss DJ), Jamz Supernova (Radio 1Xtra presenter), Austin Daboh (Music Manager at Radio 1Xtra) as well as Jagruti Dave (Producer at LBC).

12 13 SECTION two

NEWS, WEATHER AND TRAVEL Key facts

News plays a fundamental role in commercial radio programming. The industry takes its role seriously and 6 ½ hours news & sport 25 bulletins per day invests in over 350 journalists to ensure that listeners Average of 6½ hours of news Average of 25 news and sport get high-quality breaking local and national news and sport each week bulletins per day throughout the day.

“Huge audiences...still rely The dissemination of news is always evolving and so commercial radio has adapted on radio for its range of to changes in the way that news is consumed. Our news now reaches more people than ever – 35 million listeners, over 7 million Twitter followers and more than 13 music, news, information and million people engaging with stations on Facebook. entertainment.” Stations continue to provide valued public service content with over half of daytime The Rt Hon Matt Hancock MP news output (54%) featuring local news. On average, stations provide 25 news and Minister of State for Digital & Culture sports bulletins per day, typically lasting 2 minutes. In addition, stations provide around 28 weather reports and 27 travel updates each day. 350+ journalists Biggest ever reach

Trust and accuracy are important, so it is encouraging that independent research Over 350 journalists working in Biggest ever reach for news: conducted by Kantar Media found that 80% of local commercial radio listeners felt commercial radio 35m listeners and over 20m Facebook that stations provided accurate news coverage. A healthy commercial radio sector is and Twitter followers vital to ensure that local communities get the news and information that they need and to support plurality in news, so that there is an independent alternative voice to the BBC.

Local stations across the country often provide a lifeline in times of crisis. 95% of stations broadcast vital emergency information to local communities and 92% of these stations will alter their programming if necessary.

95% broadcast emergency information

95% stations broadcast vital emergency information to local communities

14 15 news, weather and travel

the bay The Bay provided unrivalled coverage during the floods. This vital broadcast was 2015 Floods rightly recognised by former Prime Minister David Cameron at a ‘Flood Heroes’ reception in Downing Street as an exceptional asset to the community in its time of need. The Bay also received official recognition in Parliament; from Police Constabulary; and an Commercial Radio Award. In 2015, commercial radio exemplified its public value At times The Bay’s coverage was the only news source available which meant that when it provided extraordinary coverage during the national media, including and the BBC, featured The Bay on live interviews. winter floods in Northern England. Throughout a Underscoring their commitment to bring listeners uninterrupted news, The Bay even continued to broadcast despite their own studio flooding and having to use an period of devastating flooding emergency services emergency generator. needed to be able to communicate with residents Analysis of The Bay’s social media accounts has highlighted that residents clearly immediately. This is where radio – particularly local took note of their news coverage as they received 6 million impressions through their commercial radio – comes into its own. Facebook and Twitter channels, along with significant peaks in their website traffic, all of which emphasises the importance of new ways of distributing news. In the aftermath of the floods The Bay provided free advertising to 75 businesses affected by the floods and power cuts. Storm Desmond, which hit Northern England and at the beginning of December 2015 was the start of some of the worst weather ever recorded in the UK. Soldiers were drafted in to help and it was no surprise to learn in the following months that December was the wettest month on record.

The response to the floods was massive and commercial radio reacted immediately with breaking news and information as the storm and devastating consequences unfolded.

Towards the end of December the River Ouse in York broke its banks. not only provided breaking coverage of events, but a team of staff also volunteered to help in the clear up operation.

On average stations broadcast 28 weather and 27 travel reports per day

CFM ensured that residents in Carlisle had up-to-the-minute coverage of the floods in their area and also provided some free advertising to affected businesses.

16 17 news, weather and travel

Many listeners are engaged politically, so it is no KMFM KMFM provided extensive coverage of the traffic chaos at the beginning of the 2016 surprise that stations are too – with all local commercial summer holidays that led to a 14 hour traffic jam when immigration officials failed to prepare properly for the increased holiday traffic. As well as providing regular updates radio stations surveyed engaging with an MP in 2015. to drivers on-air, KMFM was active on social media platforms, proving essential updates as well as helping to try and lift the mood of listeners.

LBC LBC became the UK’s first commercial news talk radio station when Global introduced 24 Hours in Calais was a bold news feature by Kent-based commercial radio station, it across the country on digital radio in 2014. LBC now reaches 1.7 million people KMFM. It provided listeners with an in-depth analysis of the growing crisis within on air. LBC addresses the issues that matter to people across the UK giving listeners France’s so-called, Calais Jungle, the encampment populated by refugees attempting unmediated access to the people in power, with regular shows featuring the country’s to reach the UK. most influential figures. KMFM reporter Graham Stothard spent 24 hours with its beleaguered residents, LBC has pioneered new formats such as giving former Deputy Prime Minister Nick hearing from those who had fled from their home countries. As well as looking at the Clegg his own phone-in show with listeners putting questions to him directly on air. situation in France, the special feature also had a local focus, exploring the ways in Similar shows have featured former SNP leader Alex Salmond MP, London Mayor Sadiq which Kent was affected. Khan, former London Mayor Boris Johnson and former UKIP leader Nigel Farage. Guests from across the political spectrum regularly take part in special programmes.

The award-winning Global newsroom supports LBC and the other Global brands. With 100 journalists at 21 newsrooms, Global produce more than 4,000 on-air bulletins every week. Their technology means that they can broadcast local news during national programmes and react to breaking news by switching to local programming in an instant.

Silk 106.9 In August 2015 the tight-knit village of Bosley was struck by disaster after a flour mill was destroyed in a huge explosion. The blast rocked the local community, claiming the lives of four people and wounding many. Cheshire’s Silk 106.9 responded swiftly to the incident, airing a bulletin within minutes of the explosion and immediately Sport continues to play an important role with both dispatching a local reporter to the scene. stations and listeners. Of those stations that broadcast Following the tragedy, Silk helped to bring the community together with its Pound sport 63% of their output is focused on local sport. to Work appeal, in which £15,000 was raised to help those directly and indirectly affected by the resulting job losses. Nation Radio In keeping with their mission to be 100% Welsh, Nation Radio was at the forefront of Judgement Day coverage, the annual Welsh Rugby Union derby, held at ’s Millennium Stadium. The Nation Radio breakfast team hosted the event live from the pitch, and were watched by the 52,000 avid attendees in the stadium.

18 19 news, weather and travel

Free Radio In 2015, the Midlands Media Awards recognised the work of ’s Dan 54% of daytime news Dawson following his special documentary feature that commemorated the 40th anniversary of the 1974 Pub Bombings.

output features local news The programme was broadcast at 8.17pm, marking the precise moment that the first of the deadly bombs was detonated. Contributors included Stewart Knott, a firefighter who bravely assisted in the aftermath of the attacks. 2015 was the 10th anniversary of the devastating 7/7 terrorist bombings in London, an occasion that LBC marked with a special documentary feature. The programme, London Remembers was the story of the 52 victims who were killed in the attack, and was bravely told by the friends and family who were closest to them. The feature was presented by Dame Tessa Jowell, who was tasked with coordinating the Government’s support for the victims.

Weaving together archived audio, previously unheard emergency service calls and first-hand accounts from witnesses and survivors, the documentary captured the raw emotion of the event in an intimate and heartfelt manner.

“Commercial radio is a fantastic medium that continues to inform, comfort and entertain, which is why I am delighted to continue to support the industry through my role as Chairman of the All-Party More Radio In the summer of 2015, a vintage jet aircraft crashed during a display at the Parliamentary Commercial Radio Group. Shoreham Airshow, tragically claiming the lives of 11 people, whilst injuring dozens more. The incident was covered live by local station More Radio (previously Splash FM), which had been broadcasting from the Airshow. Local stations like High Peak Radio in my own constituency help highlight the value that commercial radio stations provide to Covering one of the worst aviation disasters in UK history and the biggest emergency operation in Sussex since the bombing in 1985, the radio station was able to communities around Britain, with a significant public service output deliver up-to-the-minute reporting and provide helpful information to local residents. throughout the year – particularly during emergencies, such as the flooding at the end of 2015 when many stations in the affected areas went above and beyond to provide listeners with vital local information.” The average output of public service content on a UK commercial station Andrew Bingham MP Chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Commercial Radio Group

Travel News & sport Weather 178 mins 391 mins 126 mins

20 21 section three community and social action Key facts

Localness is central to the ongoing success of commercial radio. Community ties are as strong as Over £25m raised £227m ROI ever and the case studies in the following pages Over £25m directly raised for charity Return on investment for charity underscore the value of commercial radio stations to advertisers of £227m listeners and local communities generally.

Stations across the country continue to provide a huge public service by broadcasting an average of over 80 community and charity bulletins every week – including 24 bulletins on community events, 16 bulletins on charity appeals, 28 bulletins with What’s On information and 12 bulletins with information on local music events.

Given the extent of this local output it is understandable that, according to Kantar Media, 70% of local commercial radio listeners feel that their station reflects their community. 87% youth engagement 70% sponsor events Supporting good causes and working closely with charities is second nature to commercial stations which in 2015 directly raised £25m. Charities advertising 87% of stations work locally with 70% of stations sponsor charity events through radio also benefited from a massive £227m return on investment (based young people on an annual spend of £13.6m in 2015), according to the former Radio Advertising Bureau ROI multiplier.

The work throughout this section shows commercial radio at its best – providing what listeners want on the issues that affect them, wherever they are. The fact that radio is live and free to listeners makes it a great universal medium that is utilised to great effect by commercial radio stations that have a wide and diverse audience.

10,000+ events 80 community bulletins

Stations attend over 10,000 local On average stations broadcast 80 events every year community-related bulletins each week

22 23 community and social action

Percentage of stations that are contacted by listeners Bauer In 2015, ’s Cash for Kids raised a huge total of £18 million for children on the following issues in need. Those who were helped included children with severe disabilities and those who were living well below the poverty line. Fundraising events included Ant and Dec’s Breakfast Take Over on , Key 103’s Superhero Day Reveal and stunt and CFM’s Mission Christmas Appeal. 96% 78% 70% 100% 91% 100% 100%

Local Local Weather Travel School Charity Community news sport disruptions closures appeals events

As well as coverage and promotion on-air, most stations invest financially in supporting future talent, with 91% Global Global’s Make Some Noise was founded by Global to create a lasting difference of stations investing in local work experience. Also, 87% to young lives across the country. Believing that fundraising alone is not enough, of stations go into schools or colleges to talk to young Global’s Make Some Noise uses the platform of radio to literally make some noise, raising awareness for causes, in addition to providing essential grants to people or host them at their stations. small charities.

In 2015, all Global brands worked together, hosting prize competitions and Always conscious of providing communities with a voice auctions. Commercial teams secured sponsorship from leading brands, one of which where it matters, commercial stations are also involved matched the listeners’ text donations. Artists like , , and participated in raising awareness and took part in fundraising events. politically, with all stations surveyed engaging with an Overall the initiative has raised over £2m benefiting 38 smaller charities, including MP in 2015 – and many doing so on multiple occasions. teen support services and dedicated children’s nurses and therapists. Global’s Make Some Noise Day has gone from strength to strength and their 2016 appeal raised an incredible £2.8m in just one day.

CAPITAL XTRA Global’s ’s Music Potential is just one example of how commercial radio makes an active difference. The Music Potential programme was created to develop and support young people who are not in employment, education or training. Through this successful initiative, Capital XTRA has harnessed the power of radio and digital platforms to help transform the lives of disenfranchised young people, equipping them with the confidence and skills they need.

Alongside this, Global also runs The Big Music Project, a youth employability skills programme funded by the Big Lottery Fund, which helps young people with routes into the creative industries. The programme was so successful that a further £4m of funding has been granted to continue the programme until 2018.

24 25 community and social action

3fm As part of the International Nurses Day celebrations, 3fm teamed up with a Isle of Wight radio The Isle of Wight Radio once again brought the island’s community together, hosting local business in order to pay tribute to the hard work of the Isle of Man nursing its annual Local Heroes Awards at Cowes Yacht Haven. The ceremony celebrated the community. Nurses across the island were rewarded with chocolates which were outstanding achievements and courage of residents across the Isle of Wight, and hand-delivered by the 3fm team. included awards like Emergency Service Person of the Year and the Inspirational Young Person Award.

Manx Radio 2015 proved a big year for Manx Radio. In a unique move, the Isle of Man’s parliament Key 103 Throughout 2015, Key 103 undertook a new initiative with the careers service voted to endorse Manx Radio as a Public Service Broadcaster, acknowledging its provider Positive Steps in order to engage with young people across Greater importance and popularity among the island’s citizens. . The project consisted of over 70 Media Bus days with local schools, where one-to-one sessions were held with over 5,000 people. The aim of these sessions was The launch of Manx Radio’s new female-focused magazine programme is another to provide information, advice and guidance about apprenticeships, and to encourage highlight. Women Today explores life on the island from a woman’s perspective and young people to participate in them in order to build their career prospects. has been produced and presented by three women from different backgrounds of different ages. All this work is part of the Bauer Academy, which seeks to join up media, education and business. The Academy offers young people a range of opportunities, including #findingtalent courses which are free and don’t require any previous experience in radio or media.

Touch FM With obesity becoming an increasing problem in the UK, Touch FM decided to help a group of listeners lose weight, tone up and improve their lifestyle in their new Elephant in the Room campaign. Promoting community support and healthy living, the aim of the campaign was to bring 6 people together and help them to collectively lose around 200lbs – the weight of a baby elephant. Over 12 weeks, Touch FM tracked the progress of the 6 participants, recording their highs and lows on social media and on-air.

Free Radio & To raise awareness for breast cancer, Free Radio transformed Star City, a huge Birmingham leisure and entertainment complex, into Bra City. The donated bras arrived in their thousands, and were proudly hung up on display within the venue. Money raised from the event was passed on to the local charity, Ladies Fighting Breast Cancer.

Bra City is just one example of Free Radio’s work in the local community. Both Free Radio and its sister station, Gem 106, managed to attend over 300 events in 2015, with a combined audience of 1.5 million people.

High Peak Radio In April this year, High Peak Radio ran a charity auction live on-air. The auction raised £7,242 in just 12 hours with the proceeds going to #ChallengeDerbyshire on behalf of three local charities that support patients with any serious or life-limiting illness across North Derbyshire.

26 27 community and social action

Original 106 On the eve of the annual Police Scotland National Festive Drink/Drug Driving With their campaign Christmas Alone, Premier Christian Radio sought to address Initiative, took the opportunity to highlight the dangers of drink-driving the fact that every year thousands of Britons spend Christmas alone. Premier asked with a bold and entertaining experiment. The drivetime show was broadcast live a range of organisations to come forward and contact them with details of any from a hi-tech simulator, where DJ Craig McDonald was tasked with manning the local Christmas Day events. In the end the station promoted the 289 venues that controls, after drinking increasing amounts of alcohol. signed up on-air and online so that listeners could identify events that they might like to attend. The programme was supported by Absafe, a local road-safety charity, as well as Police Scotland. After consuming just two drinks, Craig crashed the car simulator and failed a resulting breathalyser test. In the spirit of simulating real-world events, Craig was arrested and handcuffed. Rugby FM Rugby FM is a strong advocate of all things ‘Rugby’, from the sport to the town. Their initiative Song for Rugby galvanised the local community, promoting the Rugby World Cup and Rugby Festival, whilst celebrating the local relevance of the game. Local artists and musicians came together to help produce a new single. Hundreds of children across the region featured on the song, which reached number 14 on the iTunes song writer’s chart. The campaign raised over £1000 for a local charity which supports children with sport-related injuries.

BOB fm In 2015, the BOB fm breakfast team helped Gary Payne and his pregnant wife, Tracy, get to hospital after she had gone into labour. Gary was driving Tracy to hospital, when they found an accident had closed off a major road. Not knowing where to turn, Gary called the BOB fm breakfast show where listeners were quick to respond with advice on how he could best avoid the traffic, while presenters kept friends and family up to date on air. Thanks to BOB fm and local callers, the couple arrived at the hospital a healthy baby, Melody, was born.

Absolute Radio Who’s Calling Christian? was a hugely entertaining competition which engaged listeners and mobilised them into providing support for various charities. Listeners prompted celebrities to call into Christian O’Connell’s breakfast show, where he would then carry out an impromptu interview with them. The public Every week stations broadcast on average were then asked to vote on which celebrity had the best interview, with a chance to win £20,000 for good causes. From Christopher Biggins to Benedict Cumberbatch, more than 70 celebrities took part in the brief two week feature. 24 bulletins on 16 bulletins on community events charity appeals

28 bulletins 12 bulletins with with What’s On information on information local music events

Radio Radio Essex regularly broadcasts a special community feature called the Essex Charity Update. The free 40 second adverts are written and produced by Radio Essex on behalf of local charities and appeals, with no commercial benefit for the station. Previous examples include an appeal for coats for dogs in winter, Age UK befriending, Essex Air Ambulance and Havens Hospices.

28 29 community and social action

Celador Radio Celador Radio has introduced a new annual Commercial radio stations accolade, the Ashley Doyle Above And Beyond Award, in memory of 27-year-old Celador team member and imaging producer, Ashley Doyle, who attend over 10,000 local was tragically killed in a car crash in 2015. In further commemoration, the Celador team joined forces with Ashley’s friends to raise £5,500 for a local events every year bird sanctuary which needed to raise funds for an intensive care unit for sick birds, a cause that had been close to Ashley’s .

Radio City Bauer Academy created a heart-warming programme in which groups of local dementia patients were invited to the Tower, which overlooks much of Planet Rock . The panoramic views of the city helped the visitors to recall memorable Planet Rock was determined to champion mental health in a bold campaign and poignant stories from their past, which were shared in a series of podcasts. that deeply resonated with listeners. With male-suicide significantly impacting The Down Memory Lane podcast had a profound effect on both listeners and the Planet Rock’s target demographic, the station made CALM (Campaign Against Living dementia patients who had been involved. Some participants remarked that they Miserably), an official partner of Planet Rock’s three-day music festival, were once again able to tap into memories that they thought had been lost forever. Planet Rockstock.

Daytime Planet Rock presenter Wyatt Wendels was so moved by the cause that he decided to complete a sponsored bike-ride between the studio in London’s Soho and Planet Rockstock in Wales. Wyatt covered an impressive 200 miles, raising over £40,000 for CALM.

Waves Radio is a staunch supporter of Cancer Research, holding an annual Wavettes & Relay Committee 4 Ball Better Ball Golf Tournament at Golf Direct support for charities – £25m Course. Participants are able to sponsor holes, with all proceeds going to the Cancer Research UK Relay for Life. Waves has raised an impressive £100,000 for Cancer Research since it began fundraising for the charity. Return on investment for charity advertisers – £227m

30 31 community and social action

Fun Kids As the UK’s only dedicated children’s commercial radio station, Fun Kids has a In addition to news, stations fantastic opportunity to provide kids across the country with engaging, entertaining and informative content. Highlights from Fun Kids in 2015 include a number of on average broadcast 80 innovative documentary and education series. Life in the Armed Forces was an audio and video series that ran on-air and online community-related bulletins to help children better understand about what life is like in military families to help breakdown social barriers in communities around military bases. Fun Kids also interviewed children whose parents serve in the armed forces about what it’s like to each week have parents working abroad for long periods of time.

Professor Hallux, a cartoon doctor, returned with a three-part series in 2015. Having already introduced children to the what, how and why of the human body, Hallux explored how to be Heart Smart and what’s involved in Pathology and Radiology, working with Heart Research UK, the Royal College of Pathologists and the Royal College of Radiologists respectively. Panjab Radio Panjab Radio has been serving the Panjabi community for over 15 years, providing a mix of entertainment for listeners. In 2015 Panjab accomplished one of the biggest goals they have ever set out to achieve. In conjunction with the Sikh Relief charity, Panjab Radio raised a staggering £69,821 in just 16 hours. In 2015, Rutland Radio led media coverage at the Burghley Horse Trials in . The station’s local popularity was recognised by organisers of the event, who granted Rutland Radio a premium spot at the edge of the arena from which to broadcast. From their highly-coveted vantage point Rutland Radio was able to provide unrivalled coverage of the prestigious three day event.

Kingdom FM Kingdom FM puts on the map with its annual gala award ceremony, celebrating the achievements of its ‘Local Heroes’. Kingdom FM’s star presenters host the event, 70% of stations sponsor presenting accolades to individuals, organisations and local schools that have had a charity events positive impact in the community.

32 33 section four TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION

Commercial radio continues to adapt to changes in audio consumption and engage with listeners in different ways. While live radio is still incredibly popular and accounts for 74% of all audio listening (as well as Reach is stronger than ever with over 35 million 84% of in-car listening) radio stations have evolved to listeners and over 20 million people engaging with meet the needs of listeners and engage with them in commercial radio on social media different ways. Key facts

Digital listening (online and DAB) continues to grow in importance and now accounts for 45.3% of all radio listening. The launch of 21 new national DAB stations in 2016 will help drive this further, as it provided an unprecedented expansion in choice and diversity of national radio content with stations offering a range of music, news, sport, religious and ethnically targeted services. We also saw for the first time in the UK four DAB+ stations – Jazz FM, Fun Kids, Magic Chilled and Union Jack – launch using the new technology with improved sound quality.

The immediacy and reliability of the signal provided by live broadcast radio – especially vital during emergencies – cannot be matched by any other media. 460 UK stations on It became clear to The Bay during the 2015 winter floods in Northern England Radioplayer 7m+ followers that the local community were relying on the emergency information that they were providing. 460 UK radio stations available Commercial radio stations have a through Radioplayer combined Twitter following of over 7 million people

13m+ Likes 250k hits

More than 13m Facebook ‘likes’ Over 250,000 website hits for each station brand every month

34 35 technology and innovation

global connect Global’s newsroom produces 5,000 news bulletins every week, 4,000 of which are Delivering local news and information to listeners local. It powers all of Global stations including Capital, Heart and Smooth which reach 25 million listeners every week, and is the news engine behind LBC, the UK’s Developments in technology make it easier than ever for stations to deliver high- first and only national commercial news talk radio station. quality, locally relevant content directly to listeners from studios anywhere in the country. Networked stations now have the capability to provide nationally popular To enhance their news offering, Global has developed an innovative new app – output across the day but also have reporters on the ground to provide relevant local Global Connect – which gives parliamentarians and opinion formers an easy and news, weather and travel information to specific local areas. immediate way to submit news stories to Global’s newsrooms across the country. It also provides a broadcast quality line into LBC and their local stations. “Our research suggests Research commissioned by in 2015 suggests that where programmes are where programmes are made is of less concern to listeners than their quality and local relevance. Moreover, the research highlighted that when presented with a potential trade-off between made is of less concern to local news and information against presenters that happen to be based in a listeners than quality and local studio there is an overwhelming preference for the provision of local news local relevance.” and information.

The provision of local news for multiple stations from one location allows stations to Sharon White produce well-resourced popular content across the network, while at the same time Chief Executive, Ofcom providing tailored local output and links between the music that are targeted only at a particular local area. The current legislation prioritises place of production over local content and should be amended.

Percentage of commercial radio stations providing online content

96% 46% 100% 68% 68%

Mobile Downloadable Online YouTube Audio app podcast stream channel distribution (e.g. Radioplayer) (e.g. audioBoom/ SoundCloud)

36 37 technology and innovation

DAX – DAX gives advertisers a single buying point across 180 digital audio platforms Total daily contact with listeners Digital Audio Exchange including SoundCloud and audioBoom and radio brands including Global’s Capital and and Bauer’s Kiss. Global created DAX because there was no easy way for advertisers to reach the growing number of people listening to audio on digital devices. In the UK every week 21.7 million people stream digital audio and this figure is growing. DAX reaches 15 million of these listeners every week.

Facebook 701,097 Bauer – Bauer’s Instream platform allows users of the Absolute Radio app to hear fewer but Instream/Instream+ more targeted adverts, compared to listening through a normal radio. The Instream technology ensures users get more songs and allows advertisers streamline their ads, Text Twitter tailoring them to suit the age, gender and location of listeners. Following the success of Instream at the beginning of 2016, Bauer launched Over one million 237,676 Instream+, which is now available on their Kiss, Kerrang!, Heat and Planet Rock brands. 147,340 engagements every day KMFM – cleanfeed Always keen to deliver high-quality professional output, KMFM was the first station in the UK to utilise Cleanfeed. The software frees on-the-ground reporters from relying on bulky equipment, providing them with easy-to-use and broadcast-quality audio Email links instead. This has enabled local journalists to get to the centre of the story quicker Website than ever before. 19,057 19,912

Mobile app Phone Jazz FM – DAB POP-UP For the past two years Jazz FM has collaborated with BBC Music on a DAB pop-up station to coincide with the London Jazz Festival. The station broadcast nationally for 6,040 4,939 24 hours a day over five days and featured content provided by Jazz FM and the BBC. This digital pop-up is the first partnership of its kind, with the commercial radio sector and the BBC working together in order to provide listeners with a unique digital service.

Global – My Capital XTRA is the groundbreaking new app created by Global, which offers a My Capital XTRA completely new listening experience. The product takes the best elements of the radio brand, in this case Capital XTRA, including the high production values and content from the station’s DJs discussing tracks, artists and the latest music news and gossip, and combines it with the ability for the user to control what music they hear, either as a normal radio, or by swiping the song now playing to move onto the next one.

Users can see the next eight records playing and remove them before they even play, and there is no limit to the number of times a user can skip. In a world first for radio, some of the speech content is also interactive – with presenters inviting listeners to tap the screen during links to view the content being discussed, providing a whole new interaction and dimension to listening to, and discovering new music.

38 39 technology and innovation

radioplayer Radioplayer is a non-profit collaboration between commercial radio and the BBC. It was launched in 2011 to help simplify radio listening on connected devices (mostly Radio listening in cars laptops and PCs at the time), now using apps for smartphones and other devices. Radio listening in the car remains extremely popular, representing almost 23% The core Radioplayer platform supports 460 UK stations (commercial, BBC and of total radio listening hours. The growth in connected cars and music streaming community stations) and around 7 million unique users a month. They benefit from capability appears to pose a potential threat to radio. a world-class web player, complete with the latest commercial capabilities, plus a pan-industry search and recommendation engine for live and on-demand audio. However research conducted by Radioplayer with new car owners from UK, France and Germany found that 82% felt that a car must have a radio. 84% said that they The UK’s Radioplayer technology is licensed in Germany, Austria, Norway, Belgium, ‘always’ or ‘mostly’ listen to radio on every journey. and – with dozens more countries also interested in launching an industry-owned platform for radio. When drivers were asked to choose just one entertainment source that they’d keep above all Radio in Smartphones others, 69% picked radio Radioplayer is increasingly playing an important ‘R&D’ role for European radio, and this paid off recently when LG announced the world’s first smartphone equipped with a DAB digital radio receiver. The team quickly prototyped and developed a hybrid 69% 11% 11% 7% 1% version of the Radioplayer app, convincing LG to launch in the UK with Radioplayer pre-installed. Work is now continuing to convince other smartphone manufacturers to build broadcast radio receivers into their devices.

The team quickly prototyped and developed a hybrid version of the Radioplayer app, which is able to jump between broadcast and internet reception. The team also convinced LG to launch in the UK with Radioplayer pre-installed. Work is now continuing to convince other smartphone manufacturers to build broadcast radio receivers into their devices.

Radio CD Player MP3 Player Bluetooth Streaming

In recent years, the team have added apps for mobiles and tablets, integrations with smart-watches, car systems (Apple CarPlay, Android Auto), and home devices (Bluetooth, AirPlay, Chromecast and Amazon Echo).

Radioplayer is helping car companies understand the importance of radio to drivers through research, prototyping, and partnerships. They’re also championing a ‘hybrid’ approach to multiplatform radio, which combines the best aspects of broadcast radio (DAB, FM) with the best characteristics of app radio (simplicity, personalisation). A hybrid aftermarket audio upgrade product – Radioplayer Car – is launching in the UK shortly.

40 41 section five music Key facts

Music is the heart and soul of commercial radio. 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, hundreds of stations provide listeners with a curated playlist of mood enhancing music. It is therefore no surprise that radio’s function of providing music discovery is highly valued by 90% host sessions 83% feature up-&-coming listeners, with 78% of local commercial radio listeners 90% of stations hosted an 83% of stations have featured stating that they are introduced to new music. in-studio session an unknown artist

Live music plays an important role in our industry, which is why stations love to get artists to perform in their studios. 90% of stations hosted an in-studio session in 2015.

As well as playing music throughout the day, stations get up close and personal, attending over 10,000 local events each year. Almost half (48%) of all stations have invested either financially or with time on promoting local gigs and, on average, dedicate 12 bulletins a week to local music events.

Not content with simply entertaining listeners in their homes, in their cars, at work or on the go, commercial radio stations put on live music events across 68% help raise profile 78% discover new music the country, regularly filling out concert venues from huge stadiums and arenas to more intimate gigs. 68% of stations that featured an 78% of local commercial radio listeners unknown artist reported them going say they are introduced to new music on to gain greater success

86% of listeners to national commercial radio feel that it lifts their mood £50m paid to artists £103m sales boost

Around £50m paid directly to artists Commercial radio promotes an and songwriters estimated £103m in music sales

42 43 music

The range and volume of music played on commercial radio is unrivalled, Specialist music stations play a bigger role than ever in making available an with thousands of different songs broadcast each week to millions of listeners. unprecedented volume and breadth of tracks, with a wide choice from Classic FM This helps drive awareness and desire for music and supports the success of the and Jazz FM to dedicated Asian stations like Sunrise and Panjab Radio to London UK’s creative industries. Greek Radio, Fun Kids Radio, Planet Rock and even Chris Country which features non- stop . This ability to create hit songs is supplemented by a broad mix of specialist stations and genres, making commercial radio a powerful means of promoting both new Commercial radio also plays a big role in fostering new talent. 83% of stations have and existing music. As a result commercial radio supported over £103m to music featured an unknown artist and 68% of stations that featured an unknown artist sales in 2015, with a further £50m in music rights payments being paid directly to reported them going on to gain greater success. artists and other rights holders. Commercial stations are at the forefront of live music. More than half of all stations (52%) have broadcast from a music festival, 38% of stations have broadcast directly from a live gig and 28% have organised a music festival. In terms of music development, 24% of stations have featured a gig for unsigned acts, with similar Value to UK music numbers of stations featuring a ‘battle of the bands’ style event.

global Global brings people together at more than 100 of its own live events throughout Commercial radio is estimated to help the year. Twice a year they hold the largest hit music events in the UK – Capital’s and Capital’s Jingle Bell Ball – and the biggest names in music fly in drive around £103m in UK music sales to London to perform for their listeners.

Classic FM also hosts some of the country’s most spectacular music events including Classic FM Live which takes place at the world famous .

Music rights payments total around £50m to UK music value

Supporting the success of the UK music industry is worth £1.06bn

The KISS Haunted House Party returned to the legendary Wembley Arena in 2015, and proved bigger and better than ever before. Over 11,000 party-goers attended the event, which was completely sold out in the space of a few weeks. The line-up included , , , Little Mix, , Blonde, Years & Years, Krept & Konan and Sigma.

44 45 music

Jack FM & Jack 2 In November 2015, 25,000 people descended on South Park in Oxford for the annual Jazz FM Jazz FM’s Love Supreme Jazz Festival entertained 20,000 festival goers in 2015, with Oxford Round Table Fireworks Display, hosted by JACKfm and JACK 2 Oxfordshire. In its third and most successful festival to date. With over 50 acts, across 4 stages, over addition to the impressive fireworks extravaganza, audiences were treated to 2 hours 3 days, the UK’s largest greenfield jazz festival brings live music to the rolling hills of live entertainment on the music stage. The annual event raises around £50,000 of Glynde Place in East Sussex. With headline performances from Sir Van Morrison, for local good causes. Chaka Khan, Hugh Masekela and Rebecca Ferguson the multi-generational festival has become a key date in the UK festival calendar.

Radio Radio Plymouth has been engaging with local young people by offering students Absolute Radio Absolute Radio prides itself on providing a huge number of diverse live music the exciting opportunity to create their own music documentaries. Each year the experiences. From intimate sessions with artists like Brandon Flowers and Noel station holds a lecture for City College Plymouth media students and sets them Gallagher, to huge festivals, live music is central to the station’s Real Music Matters the task of researching, writing and presenting their own documentary on any area strategy. The team at Absolute have developed a true 360 degree experience for of music. The documentaries are then broadcast on Radio Plymouth. Overall the its listeners, giving them the opportunity to win a place on the guest list each night experience provides the next generation of media broadcasters with a unique (2,000+ tickets given away across 2015), ask questions via social media and to hear hands-on opportunity. the live sessions on-air, or watch on-demand – with almost 2 million YouTube views in 2015.

Lincs FM Over the years, Lincs FM has hosted a series of popular Up Close gigs. In 2015, the station bagged its biggest name yet, welcoming Noel Gallagher, the former Oasis frontman, to Lincoln in an exclusive, intimate gig. The session also reunited Gallagher with one-time Oasis bandmate, Gem Archer, marking the first time they had played on stage together in 5 years.

Gem 106 Last summer, Gem 106 partnered with Nottingham City Council to help promote and organise Splendour Festival, one of the biggest summer events in the Midlands. Huge crowds of all ages flocked to the scenic Wollaton Park where the festival was held. Headline acts included The Specials, Bananarama, James, Lawson and Roots Manuva.

More Radio More Radio (formerly Splash FM) hosts a popular concert of live music in Worthing every year. The concert showcases both established and emerging talent in a fantastic party, attended by over 5,000 local residents.

46 47 music

83% of stations offer a Supporting new music Commercial Radio Awards platform for unknown A few artists that started out small but have gone on to global fame thanks to The Arqiva Commercial Radio Awards are a celebration of the extraordinary talent artist by featuring them commercial radio include: in the industry. The 2016 awards were held in May at the Roundhouse in Camden, on the radio North London, in what was a spectacular showcase of the best commercial radio has to offer. James Bay Jamie Lawson Following this exposure The star-studded event was hosted by popular radio personality Jon Holmes and 68% of stations Hozier Years & Years included performances by , BB Diamond and Jack Savoretti, whose careers have been boosted by their exposure on commercial radio. reported that these Kygo Emily Middlemas artists went on to achieve greater success New music is central to success of commercial radio and this year the Arqiva Music Champion Award went to John Kennedy of Radio X, one of the sharpest, most respected and quietly influential broadcasters in Britain.

“Commercial radio support is so valuable to new and independent artists, and John is very much leading the charge, providing a vital platform for artists to be heard.”

Lara Baker Head of Marketing Association of Independent Music

48 49 about Radiocentre is the industry body for commercial radio. radiocentre We work on behalf of stakeholders who represent 90% of commercial radio in terms of listening and revenue.

We perform three main functions on behalf of our members:

• drive industry revenue by promoting the benefits of radio to advertisers and agencies through a combination of marketing activity (e.g. events, advertising, PR, and direct mail), research, and training

• provide UK commercial radio with a collective voice on issues that affect the way that radio stations operate, working with government, politicians, policy makers and regulators to secure the best environment for growth and development of the medium

• ensure advertising messages on commercial radio stations comply with the necessary content rules and standards laid out in the BCAP Code of Broadcast Advertising and the Ofcom Broadcasting Code.

www.radiocentre.org 6th Floor, 55 New Oxford St London WC1A 1BS www.radiocentre.org

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